Smartline SA-S combines excellent precision and highest stroke rates

An Asian manufacturer has placed an order with Schuler for a press to produce beverage can lids. The Smartline SA-S can produce over 3,000 such lids per minute. The Smartline not only forms the can’s stay-on tab but also attaches it to the lid and forms the depressed panel with opening score.

This process is made possible by a special die supplied by the Japanese company Showa Machine-tool Co. Ltd. which combines the two steps. In addition to the pre-formed lid blanks, a metal strip is fed into the die to form the tabs. Four lids are produced simultaneously with every stroke. Schuler collaborated closely with Showa on the development of the overall system.

Sustainable production with few rejects and the best possible cost-benefit ratio

For an energy-efficient production of beverage can lids with few rejects, the Smartline SA-S provides a controlled AC drive with energy recovery as well as a temperature control of the body, an extremely fast switching clutch and brake as well as a depth penetration control. The Quick Lift feature allows the user to resolve outages as quickly as possible.

"Our client wanted to increase the production volume while reducing the number of rejects, and all of this at the best cost-benefit ratio," says Schuler Managing Director Johannes Linden. "All of the packaging manufacturers place great value on a resource-saving production. The Smart Line SA-S combines sustainability, better quality with maximum production quantity with a best possible cost-benefit ratio. "

The Smartline SA-S has so far been used for the punch-bundling of electric motor laminations – a similarly complex technical process. With a press force of 1,250 kilonewtons and a maximum speed of 850 strokes per minute, the machine will begin producing beverage can lids at the Asian manufacturer’s facility in early 2015.

Schuler will present systems manufacturing metal packaging for the aerosol, beverage and food industry at the trade show Metpack in Essen from May 6 to 10, 2014 (hall 3.0, stand C26).

About the Schuler Group – www.schulergroup.com

As the technological and global market leader in metal and plastic forming equipment, Schuler offers cutting edge presses, automation, dies, process know-how and services for the entire metal forming industry and lightweight vehicle construction. Its clients include car manufacturers and their suppliers, as well as companies in the forging, household equipment, packaging, energy and electrical industries. Schuler is the market leader in coin minting technology and supplies systems solutions for the aerospace, railway and large pipes industries. The company can trace its roots back to a locksmith shop founded by Louis Schuler in 1839 and celebrates its 175th anniversary in 2014. In fiscal year 2012/13 (ending Sep. 30), Schuler posted sales of € 1,185.9 million. With 5,600 employees, Schuler is represented in 40 nations around the world. The Austrian ANDRITZ Group holds a majority share in Schuler.

CONTI-AIR® Black Sticky presented for the first time at METPACK in Essen • New development for high-quality sheet iron and plastic tube printing • High printing quality and accurate ink transfer

Tube printing is now provided by CONTI-AIR®. At METPACK in Essen (May 6 to 10, 2014), ContiTech's printing blanket specialists will be presenting a new self-adhesive printing blanket for metal packaging for the first time. Additional powerful printing blankets for metal packaging will also be on display. Trade fair visitors from all over the world will find CONTI-AIR® in hall 1.0, booth number F53.

The centerpiece of the presentation: the self-adhesive printing blanket CONTI-AIR® Black Sticky. The new product from ContiTech has been specially developed for printing using the DryOffset procedure. It is used in high-quality sheet iron and plastic tube printing, and prints cosmetic tubes as well as beverage cans and bottle labels.

"Self-adhesive printing blankets are a small but well-established market in the packaging industry, a market that we want to tap into for the first time now. With CONTI-AIR® Black Sticky, we are adding a further interesting high-tech product to our comprehensive printing blanket range," declares Matthias Ostkamp, who is in charge of marketing the new product in his role as Area Manager at CONTI-AIR®.

Optimum abrasion resistance and electrostatic properties
The quality of a printing blanket determines the quality of the printing. For this reason, the self-adhesive printing blankets are manufactured using ContiTech's tried-and-tested technology. They feature the innovative CONTI-AIR® compressible layer, and are fitted with a shear-resistant adhesive, which can be removed without leaving any residue. The self-adhesive blankets ensure precise ink transfer and perfect printing. Filled with carbon black, the cover plate compound also optimizes the abrasion resistance and electrostatic properties.

The printing blankets are coated with a special adhesive on the company's own machines, and finished off in accordance with the specific machine requirements. Depending on the customer's needs, every format required can be catered for using CAD-controlled technology. In addition, the CONTI-AIR® Black Sticky can be classified by thickness if necessary, and delivered in individual packages.

Further high-tech printing blankets for metal printing in the product range
CONTI-AIR® will also be displaying climate-neutral printing blankets from the HC line as well as the CONTI-AIR® 7PLUS and CONTI-AIR® UV PLUS blankets at METPACK in Essen. All of these products are robust high-tech specialists for metal printing, and feature a special CONTI-AIR® compressible layer of closed micro-cells with an overpressure.

A radiation tolerant alga capable of living in extreme conditions may soon be used to help clean-up effluent and wastewater produced by nuclear facilities.

The micro-alga – called Coccomyxa actinabiotis – was discovered in a used fuel cell storage pool at a nuclear facility and is capable of withstanding extreme radiation doses of up to 20 kilograys (kGy). 

By comparison, humans exposed to a fraction of this level of radiation – five or more gray (gy) – usually results in death within 14 days. In 1986, the Chernobyl nuclear accident resulted in human exposure up to 16 gy causing 28 deaths in the first three months¹.

Microorganisms, including algae, are used widely by industry to help manage waste by-products. The discovery of the new alga creates the potential to develop cheaper and more environmentally-friendly solutions for cleaning-up effluents and water used by nuclear facilities.

The potential of the alga, which uses photosynthesis and metabolic processes to take-up the contaminants, is being explored by a French research team from Grenoble University, Montpellier University, Institut Laue-Langevin, and the Atomic Energy and Alternative Energies Commission – Division of Nuclear Energy².

The research team are currently developing a pilot-scale treatment unit, based on the Coccomyxa actinabiotis micro-alga, to remove effluents including carbon-14, uranium-238 and caesium-137.

The Institution of Chemical Engineers’ (IChemE) chief executive, Dr David Brown, said: “Current technologies for the chemically engineered cleaning of nuclear effluents are robust and efficient. However, processes like evaporation, filtration, sorption and ion exchange can be expensive. 

“Work in other industries indicates that decontamination using bioremediation technologies could be equally as efficient, but cheaper and more environmentally-friendly. But none is currently operational in highly radioactive environments.

“The researchers in France are breaking new ground by helping us to understand the feasibility of using algae for the highly controlled nuclear decontamination process, including issues such as fouling, pore size and re-use of this remarkable alga”.

The role of chemical engineers in the health, water, food and energy sectors is explored in IChemE’s latest technical strategy, Chemical Engineering Matters.

source: http://www.icheme.org

About chemical engineers

Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, maths and economics to the process of turning raw materials into everyday products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world.  Pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the products where chemical engineering plays a central role.

About IChemE

The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) is the hub for chemical, biochemical and process engineering professionals worldwide. With a growing global membership of over 38,000, the Institution is at the heart of the process community, promoting competence and a commitment to best practice, advancing the discipline for the benefit of society, encouraging young people in science and engineering and supporting the professional development of its members. 

References

¹ United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR)

² D. de Gouvion Saint Cyr, C. Wisniewski, L. Schrive, E. Farhi, C. Rivasseau, Feasibility study of microfiltration for algae separation in an innovative nuclear effluents decontamination process, Separation and Purification Technology (2014), doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2014.01.039

Following the acquisition of Process Industry Match .com by Vince Maynard and Ian-Melin Jones, we thought now would be a good time to update you on how we are moving forwards and developing the site. As individuals (Vince & Ian) we already have our own specialist media as listed under Industry Partners on the site; however this joint venture ensures we can draw on the entire portfolio for news gathering and reaching new readers in multi discipline areas of industry.

The site

Our first decision was to make PIM an open source website to ensure the widest possible audience for both news and advertisers. this (even at this early stage) has seen a threefold increase in the number of visitors and the time they are spending at PIM, a threefold increase has also been seen in the amount of time visitors are spending reading the news and articles.

News

Our input in terms of news posting has averaged 18 new items per day since taking over and is still increasing, these items fall into eight broad categories, News, Chemicals, Food/Materials, Oil/Gas, Metals/Mining, Green Industry, Power/Water and Technology News. A recent example of our ability to gather news while it actually happens was from Tube/Wire Dusseldorf and we were posting live from the exhibition.

Interaction

Existing and new visitors to the site also have the opportunity to subscribe/un-subscribe to our E-newsletters via the website making it easy to ensure they are kept right up to date with what is happening, interaction is also possible via the Twitter feed and has proven to be very effective when sharing company news.

Marketing

Through a re-design of the layout of the site we are now able to offer an extensive and very flexible variety of options for marketing; this also includes our E-Newsletters.

To find more or you have a question please contact

Ian Paul Melin-Jones

Tel: +46 (0) 8 12093201
Mobile: +46 (0) 70 6961291
Mail: ian @ processindustrymatch.com     

Vince Maynard

Tel: +44 (0) 1732 505724
Mobile: +44 (0) 7747 002286
Mail: vince @ processindustrymatch.com

Co Owners - Process Industry Match

Metso continues to expand its industry-leading global service center network by opening mining service centers in Peru and Mexico. The investments, worth in total EUR 6 million,  are in line with Metso's long-term strategy to strengthen its local services presence close to its customers. Metso already serves its mining and construction customers from over 50 service centers around the world. A new center is also in the process of being built in Mesa, Arizona, United States  and in Labrador City in Canada.

Above EUR 20 billion investments in mining projects within next 5 years will boost demand for Metso's mining services in Peru

The new service center, which will open in Peru's Arequipa in April, strengthens Metso's already solid position in South America and provides access and direct contact with the biggest mining companies in the area.

 "The estimated investment in mining projects, for the next five years (2014 - 2018), will be of more than EUR 20 billion. The development of the copper belt in southern Peru, with the new operations such as: Antapaccay, Las Bambas, Constancia, Cerro Verde II, Quellaveco, Toromocho, among others, will boost the demand for Metso's mining services in the region", says Aldo Cermenati, SVP, Pacific Rim market area, Mining and Construction, Metso.

The new facility is located in Rio Seco Industrial Estate in Arequipa city, southern Peru. Equipped with leading-edge technology, the center includes local engineering and production, equipment assembly and overhaul, parts recovery, industrial equipment repair and maintenance as well as specialist technical support. The soon to be opened center will also function as an essential South American distribution center for Metso's services and products.

Cananea service center supports Grupo México's Buenavista del Cobre mine and other mining operations in the Northwestern part of Mexico

 "We were on site with 180 technicians to help Grupo México restart operations at Buenavista del Cobre in 2010," explains Leif Lindholm, VP, Mexico and Central America market area, Mining and Construction, Metso. "Following the delivery of our comminution equipment for the new Buenavista plant, we decided to implement our service center model in order to offer our best service for Grupo México. We are 100% integrated with their workers and we aim to grow together."

The service center which was opened in February in Cananea city, in the Northwestern part of Mexico, will also allow our people in the area to cover all the mines in the north west of Mexico including Baja California  state and Peñoles' Milpillas copper mine further to the north.

The service center will function as a repair and assembly center and provide specialist technical support. Our service offerings in Mexico will also include everything from normal repair jobs and installations of equipment's to service contracts that can include operation of the whole or part of the plant on a cost-per-ton basis.

Metso's mining and construction professionals specialize in always bringing the right technology, processes, machinery and services to our customers in the aggregates production, construction, mining and minerals processing and in metal and waste recycling. Expect results. www.metso.com/miningandconstruction   

Metso is a leading process performance provider, with customers in the mining, construction, and oil & gas industries. Our focus is on the continuous development of intelligent solutions that improve sustainability and profitability. Metso's shares are listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Metso employs around 16,000 professionals in 50 countries. Expect results.

For further information, please contact:

João Ney Colagrossi, President, Mining and Construction, Metso, tel: +55 (15) 9974 10134; e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Randall R. Reisinger, SVP, Service Operational Hubs, Services Business Line, Mining and Constuction, Metso, phone: +1 717 495 0511, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Leif Lindholm, VP, Mexico market area, Mining and Construction, Metso, phone: +521 462 621 1523, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Aldo Cermenati, SVP, Pacific Rim market area, Mining and Construction, Metso, phone: +56 2 370 2022, email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zumbach launches new 3-axis lump detector family KW TRIO for extrusion lines, optical fibre draw towers, rewinding processes and others. The first technology with a pulsing light source and automatic ambient light rejection after the cycle makes these detectors impervious to stray light and the pioneers in their class. Line speed or iridescent light have no influence on measurement results – even the smallest surface faults are detected reliably on a micrometre scale.

In insulating, sheathing, enamelling, wire drawing and other processes, surface faults such as lumps and neckdowns must immediately be detected. Zumbach has developed a new concept eliminating stray light as a factor in fault detection in order to enable production processes with the highest quality possible at extrusion lines, optical fibre draw towers, etc. The one-of-a-kind combination of an electronic measuring principle and a complex optics solution sets a new standard in fault detection reliability and performance.

Advantages for the quality control

• measurement results are unaffected by stray light, velocity and vibration
• complex optics solution enables minimal fault detection height of only 0.01mm and a minimal fault detection length of only 0.2...0.3mm
• Fully digitalized signal processing DSP
• Micro-processor for intelligent fault analysis and classification
• Illuminated, mobile operating and display unit
• detailed error log
• interface for host connection
• compact design, flexible mounting concept
• theoretically unlimited lifespan

Since faults often only cover a limited angle on the product circumference, e.g. lumps, neckdowns, blisters, etc., 2-axis detectors (X/Y) are usually used. However, reliability can be three times as high by using the 3-axial measurement of the KW TRIO models. This is due to the significant reduction in blind spots that only the KW TRIO models enable.

Weld Purge Monitors® are an essential tool for the Process Industry, with various models serving different levels of weld purge requirement.

There are applications that can be satisfied with Monitors measuring down to 100 ppm and .....

for the higher specification industries such as Aerospace, Food and Drinks, Semi-conductor, Biofuels etc  that need to achieve oxgyen levels down to 10 ppm there are other models.   

One such Model has just been developed for the Process Industries and that is the PurgEye® 200 which is now rolling off the production lines partially to meet an order for 30 units from the Far East.

This is a hand held, battery driven monitor that will read very accurately down to 10 ppm.

It is probably the lowest cost Weld Purge Monitor® of its kind even though it contains an internal
electro-mechanical pump for drawing samples of gas automatically over the sensor before discharging it to atmosphere.

The lifetime sensor eliminates the need for changing cells once every year or so, subject to the type of usage the “wet” cells receive.

Alarm signals can be given by the PurgEye® 200 to show when the purge gas level is within or outside the preset range.

The PurgEye® “Family” of Weld Purge Monitors® comprises:

• the low cost PurgEye® 100 hand held unit for measuring down to 100 parts per million,
• the PurgEye® 300 that accurately measures free flowing gas down to 10 ppm and less,
• the PurgEye® 500 that uses an internal electro-mechanical pump to draw the gas across the sensor,
• the PurgEye® 600 which is a computer controlled model measuring from Atmospheric oxygen levels down to 10 ppm accurately and
• as well as the PurgEye® 200 that is described above,

the PurgEye® 1000 which has a remote sensor for accurately measuring oxygen level down to 10 ppm

Further information about the exciting new Weld Purge Monitor® can be obtained from our website or writing to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tieto provides PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy with the IT solutions required to streamline the supply chains related to the planning and construction of power grids. The new information system makes monitoring the power grid work's progress more efficient and facilitates the distribution of information to the company's key stakeholders.

The renewal of the company's IT systems enhances its key business processes by enabling the use of digital information systems independent of time and place through which the company's key stakeholders can get reliable real-time information.

"Increasing the supply reliability is one of the key challenges faced by electricity network companies. Tieto is able to meet these demands by automating the management of the utility company's processes and by integrating the company's IT systems into a real-time snapshot of events taking place in the grid. The renewed systems also make it possible to offer real-time information on the status of power distribution, for example, during possible service disruptions," says Ari Oksanen, Business Development Director for Tieto's energy business.

"PKS Sähkönsiirto needs to make significant investments in its power grid in the next few years to reach the reliability targets listed in the Electricity Market Act. The IT solutions that we are now acquiring enable the incresing investments in the grid as well as the efficient delivery of the maintenance and service work, all the way from the general planning phase right until the final documentation of the work. All the work-related interactions and documentation can be managed in a digital supply chain. This is how we can ensure that all work and tasks are handled at the right time and that the supply chain is monitored and reported on," says Jukka Ahonen, Grid Development Manager at PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy.

Going from hard-copy network maps to mobile device solutions

The solutions Tieto delivers include also a system that replaces the traditional hard-copy network maps with digital maps for mobile devices. This system makes it easier to manage the planning, construction and maintenance of the power grid.

Together, these systems constitute a package that streamlines the management of grid construction, fault repairs, various customer tasks and maintenance work. This package also speeds up the handling of service disruptions. The new solutions meet the requirements of streamlining operations set by the energy sector's authorities.

Tieto is the largest Nordic IT services company providing full life-cycle services for both the private and public sectors and product development services in the field of communications and embedded technologies. The company has global presence through its product development business and global delivery centres. Tieto is committed to developing enterprises and society through IT by realizing new opportunities in customers' business transformation. At Tieto, we believe in professional development and results.

Founded 1968, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland and with approximately 14 000 experts, the company operates in over 20 countries with net sales of approximately EUR 1.6 billion. Tieto's shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX in Helsinki and Stockholm. Please visit www.tieto.com for more information.

PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy is responsible for power grid services in Northern Karelia and eastern Savo. PKS Sähkönsiirto ensures the reliable distribution of power to 89 000 customers by maintaining, building and developing a 21 000 kilometre power grid by using the latest technology.

For further information, please contact:

Ari Oksanen, Business Development Director, Energy Utilities, Tieto, mobile +358 (0)50 5946 207, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jukka Ahonen, Network Development Manager, PKS Sähkönsiirto Oy, mobile +358 (0)50 5120 309, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The VIKING™-2 Helmets offer the best optical clarity in the welding industry today

Lincoln Electric has developed a new generation of VIKING™ auto-darkening welding helmets designed to deliver improved optics and superior comfort. Backed by a three-year warranty, these helmets offer better optical quality as well as durability in tough welding environments.

The auto-darkening cartridges in the VIKING™-2 series offer a top EN 379-1/1/1/1 optical clarity rating. The ratings correspond to four important categories. Each category is graded on a scale of 1-3, with a score of 1 representing the highest optical quality rating and 3 representing the lowest. The new VIKING-2 Helmets score a perfect 1/1/1/1 clarity rating.

New Features:

• Improved optical clarity with a perfect 1/1/1/1 rating
• Pivot-style headgear for greater comfort
• Three-year warranty

The best-in-class optics, improved headgear  and three-year warranty are standard on the company’s VIKING 3350, 2450, 2450D and 1840 -2 Series helmets.

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 48 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at http://www.lincolnelectric.com.

Utilizing wind and solar energy more efficiently, cutting down on fossil fuels and providing secured capacity - this is the contribution to be made by pumped storage power plants in Germany by 2050. This is the key result of a new study of Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule Aachen (RWTH Aachen University) about the future role of pumped storage power plants in Germany. The study, commissioned by Voith Hydro, was presented in Berlin today.

Within the context of the energy transition, the scientists of RWTH examined the role of pumped storage power plants, i. e. large power stores, for two scenarios: one for the year 2030 with a 60 percent share of renewable energies in power generation, and one for the year 2050 with a share of 80 percent.

The study shows that with a 60-percent share, about two terawatt hours of electricity can be additionally utilized, if the pump storage systems in Germany are extended to a capacity of 15 gigawatt. At the same time, up to 13 gigawatt of secured capacity from pumped storage systems would be available. As a result, the need for new power plants running with gas will be largely reduced. In the second scenario, when the share of renewable energies takes up 80 percent, the effect of pumped storage systems can be improved, because their assumed total output of 23 gigawatt by 2050 allows the following advantages: 5 terawatt hours of renewable energies will be additionally integrated into the grid. The secured capacity from pumped storage systems can rise to up to 16 gigawatt. Germany would be able to build and run fewer new gas power plants. The operation of the pumped storage systems would be profitable, and power generation costs would drop. At the same time it can be expected that there are macro-economic benefits.

"The study points out that pumped storage power plants will provide a significant back-up to the integration of renewable energies from 2030," explains Dr.-Ing. Andreas Schäfer, Chief Engineer at the Institute for Electric Plants and Energy at RWTH Aachen. Moreover, pumped storage plants would offer important systems services, especially for control reserves, but also for the provision of secured outputs. In this way, pumped storage systems can make a contribution to the success of the energy transition.

Energy suppliers already have to switch off wind or solar plants, whenever the supply of eco-friendly generated electricity is getting excessive. The reason: grids would otherwise be destabilized, and there would be a risk of power cuts. Pumped storage power plants, on the other hand, store surplus green energy temporarily and feed it back into the grid on demand at a later date.  "Pumped storage power plants are therefore multi-function power plants, which help us to lead our energy system swiftly and smoothly into the new era of energy generation without fossil carriers," says Heike Bergmann, Board Member of Voith Hydro in Germany.

"It is obvious that we need more storage capacities for the energy transition. And now we also have to create the appropriate economic conditions," says Stephan Kohler, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Energie-Agentur (dena). "Pumped storage power plants should be given first priority, because they are the only existing industrial-scale power storage systems and, beyond that, also make many valuable contributions to the power grid. We have to adapt the framework conditions in such a way, that this added value is also adequately remunerated."

dena, in cooperation with other stakeholders, has launched the platform "Pumped storage power plants - partners of the energy transition", in order to create awareness of the high energy relevance of pumped storage power plants in an energy system with a large share of renewable energies. At the same time, dena would like to work towards the creation of suitable framework conditions in the energy sector. Voith is one of the partners of the platform. http://www.pumpspeicher.info

At present, the pumped storage power plants operating in Germany have a combined output of approximately 7 gigawatt. The expansion potential in Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia alone amounts to nearly 24 gigawatt. Numerous projects are already being planned.

About the Company
Voith sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs more than 43,000 people, generates € 5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.

The Importance of Hydropower
Hydropower is the largest, oldest and also most reliable form of renewable energy generation. Worldwide it makes an indispensable contribution to stable power supplies and hence to economic and social development – both in industrial countries and in emerging markets. At the same time, hydropower significantly contributes to climate-protecting energy generation. Voith has been a leading supplier of this technology since the early beginning, and continuously develops it further.